WorldNetDaily drops Ann Coulter from conference over speech to gay conservative group

1:38 PM 08/18/2010 | Politics

Chris Moody | Contributor

Share Article via EmailToYour first nameMessage

WorldNetDaily, a conservative website, announced today that it would drop pundit Ann Coulter from a list of speakers at the site’s annual “Taking America Back National Conference” in September in Miami because she agreed to headline an event sponsored by GOProud, an organization that represents gay conservatives.

A spokesman for WorldNetDaily (WND) said there was no place for conservatives to work with groups that focuses on issues like gay rights.

“Ultimately, as a matter of principle, it would not make sense for us to have Ann speak to a conference about ‘taking America back’ when she clearly does not recognize that the ideals to be espoused there simply do not include the radical and very ‘unconservative’ agenda represented by GOProud,” said WND Chief Executive Officer Joseph Farah. “The drift of the conservative movement to a brand of materialistic libertarianism is one of the main reasons we planned this conference from the beginning.”

GOProud announced earlier this month that Coulter would headline their upcoming “Homocon” event, which they are touting as a party in New York City for gay conservatives.

According to WND, a site that regularly publishes articles about President Obama’s birthplace, Coulter told Farrah that their decision to drop her was misguided. “That’s silly, I speak to a lot of groups and do not endorse them,” she said. “…But in any event, giving a speech is not an endorsement of every position held by the people I’m speaking to. I was going to speak for you guys, I think you’re nuts on the birther thing (though I like you otherwise!).”

WND has long published Coulter’s weekly syndicated column, and despite dropping her from the event, the site will continue to include her writing on the site. “There’s a different standard for columnists and speakers at our conference,” Farah said.

A spokesman for GOProud told TheDC he appreciates that WND is making more people aware of their upcoming event.

“We don’t think WorldNetDaily is particularly relevant in the grand scheme of things, but we certainly are grateful for the attention they are bringing to our event,” said GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia. “We thank them for all the publicity.”